My 5 Wives Monte Peterson, a rich real-estate developer, is going through his third divorce. His friend Ray has found a good site for a ski resort in Utah, and Monte comes to bid on the land, competing with local banker Preston Gates. Monte knew that, in order to take possession of the land, he would have to convert to the local religion, a sort of cross between Mormonism and Amish (no smoking, no drinking, bigamy and simple living/dressing encouraged). What he didn’t know was that the deed to the land also included the three wives of the deceased former owner. He also buys another plot, and the two wives that come with it, in part because they are much better cooks. Gates, meanwhile, wants the land to build an Indian casino, and is mixed up with some mobsters. There’s a trip to Las Vegas, a female-empowerment seminar, a jailbreak, and other complications too absurd to mention.
Has Rodney ever failed us?
My 5 Wives The answer is no. The premise is quite original and the plot is paper-thin, as well as the characters (If you watch the DVD version, it’s hilarious to watch the actors in interviews try to intellectualize the meaning of this film). But with Rodney to save the day, who needs those things? If you want to see some more of that hilarious Rodney material, this film won’t let you down. Each scene is noticeably a setup for more of Rodney’s schtick. However, I do think the film sags towards the end.
The plot is so badly written and the situations are so cheesy that you NEED Rodney to save each scene. Unfortunately, he can’t be there all the time. Andrew Dice Clay is another good comedian, who can be funny when he wants. He’s given a character so lame that there really isn’t much to play around with. But for those who regard the mention of Andrew Dice Clay in the cast list as a warning…he doesn’t utter a single curse word. For those who fear his raw vulgarity, you have nothing to worry about.
“My 5 Wives” is often funny, sometimes hilarious, and you should only see if it you’re in the mood for some good jokes. Don’t expect anything else. But it’s a comedy and it often delivers the goods. I just wish the characters in the supporting cast could’ve been given better roles. There are some very talented actors like Molly Shannon and Jerry Stiller who are pretty much…wasted. Rodney is funny as always, though.
